We have made the first measurements of the virtual Compton scattering process via the e p -> e p gamma exclusive reaction at Q**2 = 1 GeV**2 in the nucleon resonance region. The cross section is obtained at center of mass (CM) backward angle, theta_gamma_gamma*, in a range of total (gamma* p) CM energy W from the proton mass up to W = 1.91 GeV. The data show resonant structures in the first and second resonance regions, and are well reproduced at higher W by the Bethe-Heitler+Born cross section, including t-channel pi0-exchange. At high W, our data, together with existing real photon data, show a striking Q**2 independence. Our measurement of the ratio of H(e,e'p)gamma to H(e,e'p)pi0 cross sections is presented and compared to model predictions.
Cross section for the reaction E P --> E P GAMMA at a polar angle given by COS(THETA) = -0.975 and azimuthal angle PHI = 15 degrees both in the centre-of-mass frame of the GAMMA* P --> GAMMA* P reaction.
Cross section for the reaction E P --> E P GAMMA at a polar angle given by COS(THETA) = -0.975 and azimuthal angle PHI = 45 degrees both in the centre-of-mass frame of the GAMMA* P --> GAMMA* P reaction.
Cross section for the reaction E P --> E P GAMMA at a polar angle given by COS(THETA) = -0.975 and azimuthal angle PHI = 75 degrees both in the centre-of-mass frame of the GAMMA* P --> GAMMA* P reaction.
Forum